The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Addition.

When Jeremiah the Prophet, at the Commandment of God, had written the Sermons, threatenings, and plagues, which he had spoken against Israel and Judah, ¹and had commanded them to be read by Baruch his Scribe, because himself was excommunicated, and forbidden to enter into the Temple; by the providence of God it came to pass, That Michaiah the son of Gemariah, hearing the said Sermons, passed to the Kings House, and did communicate the matter with the rest of the Princes; who also, after they had read the same Volume of Jeremiah his Preachings, did not conceal the truth from Jehoiakim, who then did reign in Jerusalem. But the proud and desperate Prince commanding the Book to be read in his presence, before he had heard three or four leaves of the same, did cut it, and cast it into the fire, notwithstanding that some of the Princes (I think not all) made request in the contrary. But the Prophet was charged by God to write again, and to say to Jehoiakim, Thus saith the Lord, Thou hast burnt this Book, saying, Why hast thou written in it according to this sentence? Assuredly the King of Babylon shall come, and shall destroy this land, and shall make it void of men and beasts. Therefore thus saith the Lord, of Jehoiakim the King, There shall not be one left alive to sit in the Seat of David: Their carcasses shall be cast to the heat of the day, and to the frost of the night (whereby the Prophet did signify, the most vile death, and most cruel torment) and I shall visit the iniquity of himself, and of his seed and servants: And I shall bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon all Judah, all the calamities which I have spoken against them: Albeit they would not hear. This is not written, Madame, for that time only, but to assure us, That the like punishment abideth the like contemners, of what state, condition, or degree that ever they be. I did write unto you before, having testimony of a good conscience, That I did it in the fear of my God, and by the motion of his holy Spirit (for the request of the faithful brethren, in things lawful, and appertaining to Gods glory, I cannot but judge to be the voice of the holy Ghost.) But how ye did accept the same my former writing, I do not otherwise then by conjectures understand: whether ye did read it to the end, or not, I am uncertain: